HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-28-26 Public Comment - R. Blank - City Charter ProposalsFrom:RogerBlankEsq
To:Bozeman Goverment Study Commission
Subject:[EXTERNAL]City Charter Proposals.
Date:Wednesday, January 28, 2026 12:00:55 PM
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Dear Members of the Study Commission,
I hope this email finds you all well and Happy belated New Year. I apologize for my inability to address you in
person but I am still recovering from spinal fusion surgery I had in November. As you prepare to make public
recommendations regarding our City Charter, I respectfully request that the following recommendations be
considered:
1- Both Mayor and Commissioners remain non-partisan elected positions.
2- Mayor is elected at large and acts as the city head of government from day one. The Mayor serves a 4 year term
with term limits of two terms. This becomes a full time salaried position.
3-In accordance with #1, the position of City Manager is eliminated.
4- Deputy Mayor’s position is eliminated.
5- The Commission be expanded to 7 members elected by districts/wards of which they must be a resident of. Wards
are designated by both location and equal population of registered voters. Also a 4 year term subject to term limits
of two terms. The Commission members remain part-time and receive a salary commensurate with their part-time
status.
6- Any vacancy on the Commission or Mayor during a term is replaced through a special election with expedited
timelines. No more of the Commission selecting who will replace a vacant seat during a term.
7- Ability for the citizens to remove both a Mayor or Commissioner through a recall petition action and if the recall
action succeeds, a special election to then replace the representative. So that political and or policy differences are
not used as a cudgel to remove a Mayor/Commissioner a recall petition action should require a minimum of 15% of
the votes cast in the most recent election for the position seeking to be recalled. 15% at large for the Mayor and 15%
from the specific District/Ward for a Commissioner. All recall petition signatures must be of registered voters. If the
petition achieves the 15% threshold, then an expedited two tiered special election is held where voters vote for both
the recall measure and any candidate(s) who seek the position being recalled.
8- Both the Police and Fire Chief as well as the City Attorney be appointed but their appointment must be approved
by vote of the Commission.
9- Retain the current Charter’s requirement that all appointed positions and all city hiring be based on merit and
merit alone.
Thank you all for your service and for your consideration of these recommendations.
Best regards,
Roger Blank
This e-mail was sent from my iphone as I am currently away from my office. Please excuse any typing and/or
spelling errors.
Best regards,
Roger Blank
Blank Law, P.C.*2201 Baxter Lane, Suite 10295Bozeman, Montana 59718-9998
Cell: 1-406-613-9225RogerBlankEsq@mac.com
*Admitted before the courts of New York, Southern and Eastern Federal Districts of New York and The SupremeCourt of the United States.
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